Potential Mucosal Irritation Discrimination of Surface Disinfectants Employed against SARS-CoV-2 by Limacus flavus Slug Mucosal Irritation Assay

Preventive measures have proven to be the most effective strategy to counteract the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Among these, disinfection is strongly suggested by international health organizations’ official guidelines. As a consequence, the increase of disinfectants handling is going to expose people to the risk of eyes, mouth, nose, and mucous membranes accidental irritation. To assess mucosal irritation, previous studies employed the snail Arion lusitanicus as the mucosal model in Slug Mucosal Irritation (SMI) assay. The obtained results confirmed snails as a suitable experimental model for their anatomical characteristics superimposable to the human mucosae and the different easily observed readouts. Another terrestrial gastropod, Limacus flavus, also known as “ Yellow slug “, due to its larger size and greater longevity, has already been proposed as an SMI assay alternative model. In this study, for the first time, in addition to the standard parameters recorded in the SMI test, the production of yellow pigment in response to irritants, unique to the snail L. flavus, was evaluated. Our results showed that this species would be a promising model for mucosal irritation studies. The study conducted testing among all those chemical solutions most commonly recommended against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Formation of the secondary species range of the invasive mollusk Arion lusitanicus sensu lato in Chernivtsi Region

Invasions of species into ecosystems lead to their transformation and in some cases to degradation. The spanish slug Arion lusitanicus Mabille, 1868 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Stylommatophora: Arionidae) has been spread actively in Europe including some regions of Ukraine recently. This is a dangerous invasive species that causes significant damage to natural and agroecosystems. There is a lack of nformation on the distribution of the species in Chernivtsi region. Therefore, the aim of the work was to assess the current distribution and allocation of the boundaries of the secondary range of Arion lusitanicus sensu lato in Chernivtsi Region. Data on the spread of A. lusitanicus in the region have been obtained from the website of the National Biodiversity Information Network UkrBIN, as well as collected in the field during 2016-2019 and by surveying residents of settlements of Chernivtsi region. Estimation of A. lusitanicus populations density in selected localities has been performed applying the method of total collection and direct in situ calculation with parallel estimation of habitat area. The mapping method in Quantum GIS was used to present the cartographic material. As a result, it has been found that A. lusitanicus was recorded for the first time from Chernivtsi region in 2011–2012 in the city of Chernivtsi (Rosha district) and in the Novoselytsia district. The uneven spatial distribution of A. lusitanicus mollusk colonies on the territory of Chernivtsi region has been shown: the maximum number of localities within urban settlements and the absence of species on alpine and certain steppe territories. It has been noted that the boundaries A. lusitanicus range in Chernivtsi region are confined to the territory with an altitude of 350 m above sea level and are transitive, indicating the active spreading of the species.

12. The Smell of Beer as a Factor Affecting the Emission of Carbon Dioxide by Arion Lusitanicus Auct. Non-Mabille

More and more frequently beer is used as an attractant in traps to eliminate the slug Arion lusitanicus auct. non-Mabille. The smell of beer is not indifferent to animals. Hence it is highly probable that it affects the physiological processes in the slug’s body. The aim of our study was to examine whether the smell can induce changes in respiration activity (measured as CO2 emission) of adult individuals of Arion lusitanicus. The results showed that all the tested brands of beer caused an increase in CO2 emission. Furthermore, in all the samples of studied brands of beer, this increase in CO2 emission correlated negatively to the content of the following compounds: acrylic acid N- hydroxysuccinimide ester, decanoic acid, (9Z,12Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 2-(acetyloxy)-1- [(acetyloxy)methyl]ethyl ester, bicyclo[4,1,0]heptane and ethyl caprylate.

First record of two slug mite species of the genus Riccardoella berlese (Acari: Ereynetidae) in Serbia

The paper presents the first data on slug mites Riccardoella (Riccardoella) limacum (Schrank) and R. (Proriccardoella) oudemansi Thor (Acari: Ereynetidae) in Serbia. The two parasitic species were detected on seven species of snails and slugs (Gastropoda, Pulmonata) in Serbia. Riccardoella limacum, which is a specialized snail parasite, was found in Helix pomatia L. and H. lucorum L species of the family Helicidae. Riccardoella oudemansi was found exclusively on slug species: Arion lusitanicus Mabille (Arionidae), Tandonia budapestensis (Hazay) (Milacidae), Limacus flavus (L.), Limax maximus L. and L. cinereoniger Wolf (Limacidae).

Beer as Olfactory Attractant in the Fight Against Harmful Slugs Arion Lusitanicus Mabille 1868 / Piwo Jako Atraktant W Zwalczaniu Szkodliwego Ślimaka Z Gatunku Arion Lusitanicus Mabille 1868

In 2012-2013 a series of laboratory and field experiments were carried out to check out, if beers can be used as olfactory attractants in the fight against harmful slugs Arion lusitanicus. Six brands of lager beer were used for olfactory analysis (Goolman Premium, Harnas Jasne Pełne, Tatra Mocne, Kasztelan Niepasteryzowane, Lezajsk Niepasteryzowane, Wojak Jasny Pelny). During laboratory and field tests it was evidenced that beers of all types were more attractive for slugs than water.

Floral herbivory of an invasive slug on a native weed

Effects of floral herbivory (grazing flowers) by slugs on production and quality of seeds of herbaceous plants have been rarely quantified. We studied consequences of grazing by an invasive slug Arion lusitanicus (Mabille) for inflorescences of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber ex Wiggers). In May 2008, a grassy site in Prague-Ruzyně (Czech Republic) was densely populated by dandelion inflorescences. Of the 40% of the flowers grazed by the slug, 70% died before seed dispersal and seed was eaten from 10% of the closed mature inflorescences. Viability of seeds from inflorescences that survived slug grazing was not affected. In addition to seedling predation, grazing of flowers may be an important source of dandelion mortality at sites where this slug is abundant.

Analysis of studies of the effectiveness of a biological method of protection for organic crops

SUMMARYAs a result of intensive changes in plant production and of environmental changes in agrocenoses, certain agrophages, such as slugs, have in recent years been causing ever increasing amounts of damage to crops of agricultural, horticultural and orchard plants. As a result of the European Parliament and Council Directive adopted on 13 January 2009, the countries of Europe have been required to implement integrated plant protection. One of the principles of this protection is the implementation of strategies which minimize the use of chemical pesticides. Moreover, in accordance with decisions of the European Commission, many active substances have been or are to be withdrawn from the list of available pesticides. An example is metaldehyde, which is to be withdrawn from use in EU countries in the next few years (Commission Decision C/2008/7637 of 5 December 2008). It therefore becomes necessary to seek environmentally safe substances and to develop non-chemical methods for protecting plants against harmful slugs.An alternative to chemical molluscicides is the parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita. Studies have been made of the effectiveness of this biological method in combating Polish populations of the invasive slug species Arion lusitanicus. This was an incomplete multivariate study, i.e. not all variables could be observed for all treatments on all experimental units. Multivariate model of observations has been derived and a method of analysis has been described. The results of these studies provide a basis for the development of environmentally friendly methods of protecting plants against harmful slugs.